City Comparison
Clinton vs Des Moines
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Des Moines scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Clinton
Des Moines
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Clinton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
18% lower than in Des Moines.
Housing costs are a major driver: Clinton's average rent is
27% lower than Des Moines's.
| Metric | Clinton | Des Moines | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $850 | $1,162 | -27% |
| Groceries | $360 | $400 | -10% |
| Utilities | $165 | $180 | -8% |
| Transport | $110 | $90 | +22% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $250 | -12% |
| Monthly Total | $1,705 | $2,082 | -18% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 81 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Des Moines offers 17% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Des Moines delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Clinton is estimated at
$42,000 vs $55,000 in Des Moines.
| Metric | Clinton | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $54,000 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,854 idx | 80,247 idx |
| Household Income | $53,500 | $47,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Clinton runs warmer on average — a 51.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Clinton comes out ahead with 265 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Clinton sees 22.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Clinton | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 81.20°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 15.80°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 31.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 22.80 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 265 | |
| Humidity | 70.00% | 66.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Clinton scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Clinton leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Clinton | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 25.00 | 17.90 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Des Moines is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Clinton.
From a growth perspective, Clinton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Des Moines has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Clinton | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,469 | 209,232 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 42.1 | 38.0 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 4.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Clinton
Advantages
Median home prices in Clinton are drastically lower than the national average per Zillow data.
Average commute times are under 20 minutes, allowing for minimal daily transit stress.
Abundant access to Mississippi River recreation, parks, and outdoor trails.
Strong local manufacturing and industrial employment base offering stable jobs.
Low cost of living index that stretches retirement and family budgets effectively.
Drawbacks
Limited high-tech and corporate remote work professional infrastructure.
Cold, snowy winter conditions typical of eastern Iowa can be harsh.
Limited public transit options require heavy reliance on personal vehicles.
Slower population growth compared to major U.S. metropolitan areas.
Fewer high-end dining and major entertainment venues within city limits.
Des Moines
Advantages
The Des Moines metropolitan area is experiencing population growth, with an estimated 573,000 residents in 2025, a 1.24% increase from the previous year.
The cost of living in Des Moines is generally lower than the U.S. average.
The average commute time in West Des Moines is just 18 minutes, indicating efficient transportation.
The housing market saw a 0.9% increase in home prices over the three months ending May 2026, with a median price of $217,000.
Des Moines is a major business hub with growing job markets in insurance, finance, and healthcare.
Drawbacks
The city proper of Des Moines has experienced a population decline of approximately -0.55% annually since 2020.
Healthcare costs in Des Moines are higher than the national average.
Summers in Des Moines are hot and humid, with muggy conditions increasing throughout the season.
The median household income in Des Moines ($47,000) is lower than the Iowa state average ($52,000).
The Des Moines housing market, while showing recent price increases, experienced a slight decline in median sale prices in 2024.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Clinton
#291Iowa, USA
61.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$850
Avg Salary
$54,000
Cost Index
82
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
265/yr
Avg Temp
51.50°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
70
Business
62
Des Moines
#234Iowa, USA
62.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,162
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
81
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
74
Business
75
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